U.S. patent number 9,846,184 [Application Number 13/682,645] was granted by the patent office on 2017-12-19 for combinatorial mask triggering in time or frequency domain.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Tektronix, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Tektronix, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kenneth P. Dobyns, Gary J. Waldo.
United States Patent |
9,846,184 |
Dobyns , et al. |
December 19, 2017 |
Combinatorial mask triggering in time or frequency domain
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention include methods and instruments for
performing combinatorial mask triggering. One or more mask triggers
can be configured. Combinatorial mask triggering logic can make
various determinations about the relationship between a digitized
signal and the one or more mask triggers. The various
determinations about the relationship can include considerations of
both space and time. When the combinatorial trigger criteria have
been satisfied, a trigger signal is generated, and the digital data
associated with an incoming signal is stored to memory. The
combinatorial mask triggering logic can operate on signals in the
frequency domain, the time domain, or both.
Inventors: |
Dobyns; Kenneth P. (Beaverton,
OR), Waldo; Gary J. (Hillsboro, OR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tektronix, Inc. |
Beaverton |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Tektronix, Inc. (Beaverton,
OR)
|
Family
ID: |
49766851 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/682,645 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20140142880 A1 |
May 22, 2014 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01R
13/0254 (20130101); G01R 23/165 (20130101); G01R
23/16 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01R
23/165 (20060101); G01R 13/02 (20060101); G01R
23/16 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
US. Appl. No. 13/480,294, filed May 24, 2012 Title: Time-Domain
Density Triggering in a Test and Measurement Instrument. cited by
applicant .
European Patent Office, Extended European Search Report and Opinion
for European Patent Application No. 3193145.3, Mar. 7, 2017, 10
pages, EPO, Munich, Germany. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Charioui; Mohamed
Assistant Examiner: Delozier; Jeremy
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Johnson; Marger Dothager; Kevin
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for mask triggering on a test and measurement
instrument, the method comprising: receiving and digitizing an
electrical signal under test such that digital data is produced;
determining, in real-time, that first components of the digital
data bear a first predefined relationship to a first trigger mask;
determining that second components of the digital data bear a
second predefined relationship to a second trigger mask within a
predefined period of time after the first components are determined
to bear the predefined relationship with the first trigger mask;
generating a trigger signal in response to determining that the
second components bear the second predefined relationship to the
second trigger mask within the predefined period of time; and
storing the digital data in a memory in response to the trigger
signal.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a
representation of the digital data as a trace in the frequency
domain, time domain or both.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein: determining that the first
components bear the first predefined relationship with the first
trigger mask is based on whether the first components bear the
first predefined relationship with the first trigger mask for a
period of time that is longer than or equal to a predefined time
threshold.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein: determining that the first
components bear the first predefined relationship with the first
trigger mask is based on whether the first components dwell within
the first trigger mask for a period of time that is longer than or
equal to a predefined time threshold.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein: determining that the first
components bear the first predefined relationship with the first
trigger mask is based on whether the first components bear the
first predefined relationship with the first trigger mask for a
period of time that is shorter than or equal to a predefined time
threshold.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein: determining that the first
components bear the first predefined relationship with the first
trigger mask is based on whether the first components dwell within
the first trigger mask for a period of time that is shorter than or
equal to a predefined time threshold.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein: determining that the second
components bear the second predefined relationship with the second
trigger mask is based on whether the second components dwell within
the second trigger mask within the predefined period of time.
8. A method for triggering on a test and measurement instrument,
the method comprising: receiving and digitizing an electrical
signal under test such that digital data is produced; determining
that a first set of components of the digital data violate a first
of a plurality of trigger masks; arming trigger criteria associated
with a second of the plurality of trigger masks in response to the
determination; determining that second components of the digital
data violate the second of the plurality of trigger masks in
accordance with the trigger criteria; generating a trigger signal
in response to determining that the second components violate the
second of the plurality of trigger masks; and storing the digital
data in a memory in response to the trigger signal.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining that the second
components violate the second of the plurality of trigger masks in
accordance with the trigger criteria is based on a density of the
second components meeting or exceeding a predefined density
threshold within a predefined time period after arming the trigger
criteria.
10. A test and measurement instrument, comprising: an input
configured to receive and digitize an electrical signal under test
to produce digital data; a memory coupled to the input; mask
trigger logic, coupled to the input and the memory, configured to;
determine that first components of the digital data bear a first
predefined relationship to a first trigger mask; determine that
second components of the digital data bear a second predefined
relationship to a second trigger mask within a predefined period of
time after the first components are determined to bear the
predefined relationship with the first trigger mask; generate a
trigger signal in response to determining that the second
components bear the second predefined relationship to the second
trigger mask within the predefined period of time; and store the
digital data in the memory in response to the trigger signal.
11. The test and measurement instrument of claim 10, further
comprising a display device configured to display a representation
of the digital data in the frequency domain or time domain.
12. The test and measurement instrument of claim 10, wherein to
determine that the first components bear the first predefined
relationship with the first trigger mask is based on whether the
first components bear the first predefined relationship for a
period of time that is longer than or equal to a predefined time
threshold.
13. The test and measurement instrument of claim 12, wherein to
determine that the first components bear the first predefined
relationship with the first trigger mask is further based on
whether the first components dwell within the trigger mask for the
period of time.
14. The test and measurement instrument of claim 10, wherein to
determine that the first components bear the first predefined
relationship with the first trigger mask is based on whether the
first components bear the first predefined relationship for a
period of time that is shorter than or equal to a predefined time
threshold.
15. The test and measurement instrument of claim 14, wherein to
determine that the first components bear the first predefined
relationship with the first trigger mask is further based on
whether the first components dwell within the trigger mask for the
period of time.
16. The test and measurement instrument of claim 10, wherein to
determine that the second components bear the second predefined
relationship within the predefined period of time is based on
whether the second components dwell within the second trigger mask
within the predefined period.
17. The test and measurement instrument of claim 10, wherein to
determine that the first components bear the first predefined
relationship with the first trigger mask is based on whether the
first components are present within the first trigger mask; and to
determine that the second components bear the second predefined
relationship with the second trigger mask is based on whether the
second components are absent from the second trigger mask.
18. A test and measurement instrument, comprising: an input
configured to receive and digitize an electrical signal under test
to produce digital data; a display device configured to display a
representation of the digital data; a plurality of trigger masks
being arranged on the display device; mask trigger logic configured
to: determine that first components of the digital data violate a
first of the plurality of trigger masks; arm trigger criteria
associated with a second of the plurality of trigger masks in
response to the determination; determine that second components of
the digital data violate the second of the plurality of trigger
masks in accordance with the trigger criteria; and generate a
trigger signal in response to the determinations; and a memory
coupled to the input and configured to store the digital data in
response to the trigger signal.
19. The test and measurement instrument of claim 18, wherein to
determine that the second components violate the second of the
plurality of trigger masks in accordance with the trigger criteria
is based on a density of the second components meeting or exceeding
a predefined density threshold within a predefined time period
after arming the trigger criteria.
Description
BACKGROUND
Embodiments of the present invention relate to mask triggering, and
more particularly, to combinatorial mask triggering in the time or
frequency domain on a test and measurement instrument.
Modern test and measurement instruments, such as high-speed digital
oscilloscopes, include acquisition systems that capture measurement
data pertaining to incoming electrical signals under test.
Different kinds of criteria can be used to trigger an acquisition
of data on the test and measurement instrument. For example,
triggering can be based on a "mask region" defined within the
drawing plane of a display device. Trigger logic can detect
excursions of trace components represented by pixels drawn on the
display within the mask region, and in response, cause a mask
failure and/or trigger event to occur.
In a conventional frequency mask triggering system, a spectrum
acquisition process is "free-running," or in other words, as soon
as the system is ready, acquisition data is acquired and processed
to generate a spectrum. This spectrum is then rasterized into an
image plane. As the individual spectrum traces or frequency
components are rasterized, they are tested against the frequency
mask. If the trace fails the mask criteria (e.g., an excursion
through the mask region occurs), a trigger is generated, and
digital data is acquired and stored in a memory.
In a conventional time domain triggering system, triggering can
occur based on a variety of criteria. For example, acquired data
can be tested against one or more "visual trigger zones" and if
zone criteria are met, then the acquired waveform is processed
further. If the zone criteria are not met, the waveform is
discarded.
What is missing in conventional approaches is the element of time
relative to special considerations. More specifically, while
signals and relationships between components of signals can be
expressed in terms of space and/or time, the conventional
triggering methods lack the ability to build associations and
trigger criteria around spatial aspects in combination with
time-related aspects of the signal under test.
Moreover, while multiple mask regions or visual trigger zones are
known, there remains a need for multiple region mask triggering
and/or density triggering in both time and frequency domain
acquisitions. Accordingly, a need remains for combinatorial mask
triggering involving multiple trigger mask regions, along with
trigger criteria involving logical, spatial and/or timing
relationships between the mask regions, so that more sophisticated
triggering modes can be supported. Embodiments of the invention
address these and other limitations in the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates an example test and measurement instrument
including combinatorial mask triggering logic in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram showing a technique for
combinatorial mask triggering in terms of space and time in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a trace and an associated flow diagram,
respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a first trace, a second trace, and an
associated flow diagram, respectively, in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a trace and an associated flow diagram,
respectively, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the
present invention.
FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a trace and an associated flow diagram,
respectively, in accordance with still another embodiment of the
present invention.
FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate a first trace, a second trace, an associated
flow diagram relative to the frequency domain, and an associated
flow diagram relative to the time domain, respectively, in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the inventive
concepts will become more readily apparent from the following
detailed description of the example embodiments, which proceeds
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth to enable a thorough understanding of the
inventive concepts. It should be understood, however, that persons
having ordinary skill in the art may practice the inventive
concepts without these specific details. In other instances,
well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks
have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily
obscure aspects of the embodiments.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.
may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements
should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to
distinguish one element from another. For example, a first trigger
mask could be termed a second trigger mask, and, similarly, a
second trigger mask could be termed a first trigger mask, without
departing from the scope of the inventive concept.
The terminology used in the description of the various embodiments
herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only
and is not intended to be limiting of the inventive concepts. As
used in the description and the appended claims, the singular forms
"a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as
well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also
be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and
encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the
associated listed items. It will be further understood that the
terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The
components and features of the drawings are not necessarily drawn
to scale.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example test and measurement instrument 105
including combinatorial logic 170 in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention. The test and measurement instrument 105 can
be an oscilloscope, a logic analyzer, a spectrum analyzer, a
mixed-domain oscilloscope, a network analyzer, or the like.
Generally, for the sake of consistency and explanation, the test
and measurement instrument 105 is referred to herein as an
oscilloscope.
The oscilloscope 105 can include an input section 135, which
receives an input electrical signal under test 140. The input
section 135 can include acquisition circuitry, digitizers,
amplifiers, converters, or the like, and can be connected to a
memory 115 via line 130. The memory 115 can store one or more
acquisition records related to the input signal 140 in response to
a trigger event. The memory 115 can include a memory controller
120, which controls the writing and reading of digitized data to
and from the memory 115. The memory 115 can be dynamic memory,
static memory, read-only memory, random-access memory, or any other
suitable variety of memory. The memory 115 can store digital data,
which can be displayed on a display device 165.
The input section 135 may also be coupled to the combinatorial
logic 170 via line 145 so that the combinatorial logic 170 can
receive the input signal 140. The combinatorial logic 170 may also
receive digitized data from the memory 115 via line 125. The term
"combinatorial mask triggering logic" or "combinatorial logic"
refers to analog circuits, digital circuits, hardware circuits,
firmware, and/or software, or any suitable combination thereof, for
processing an input signal and producing a trigger signal based on
a predefined set of criteria.
The combinatorial mask triggering logic 170 may process the digital
data received at input in real-time and generate a trigger signal
150 upon occurrence of a trigger event. The combinatorial mask
triggering logic 170 may include mask test circuitry 175, and may
trigger the oscilloscope 105 based on criteria determined at least
in part by the mask test circuitry 175. The mask test circuitry 175
can determine in real-time whether pixels that are associated with
the digital data and drawn on the display device 165 bear a
predefined relationship to a trigger mask in terms of space and
time, as further described below. Moreover, the combinatorial mask
triggering logic 170 and mask test circuitry 175 can process the
input signal and make such determinations in the frequency domain,
time domain, or both. Example embodiments of the functioning and
other aspects of the combinatorial mask triggering logic 170 are
described below.
A processor 155 may be coupled to the combinatorial mask triggering
logic 170 and may receive the trigger signal 150. The processor 155
may also be coupled to the display 165. The processor 155 may
coordinate the processing of data between the input 135, the
combinatorial logic 170, the memory 115, and the display 165, and
may cause trigger information, waveform information, and/or other
measurement information to be displayed on the display 165.
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram 200 showing a technique for
combinatorial mask triggering in terms of space and time in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The technique
may begin at 205 where one or more trigger masks are configured. A
"trigger mask" is a mask region defined relative to the drawing
plane of the display device 165 (of FIG. 1). The combinatorial mask
triggering logic 170 (of FIG. 1) can determine whether a waveform
intersects the trigger mask or mask region, or otherwise bears a
predefined relationship to the trigger mask or mask region.
Although the trigger mask(s) are primarily represented herein as
rectangular in shape, it will be understood that the trigger
mask(s) may be circular, triangular, linear, or any other suitable
shape and size. In the example embodiments described herein, the
one or more trigger masks may be configured manually or visually by
a user of the oscilloscope, for example, using any suitable input
means such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, and the like.
Alternatively, the one or more trigger masks may be automatically
configured by the oscilloscope. The oscilloscope may configure the
one or more trigger masks based on previously stored criteria. In
addition, the one or more trigger masks can be made using software
on an external computer system and then imported into the
oscilloscope.
The flow proceeds to 210, where the input signal is received and
digitized to produce digital data. A determination is made at 220
whether pixels or components that are associated with the digital
data bear a predefined relationship to one or more trigger masks in
terms of space and time. If so, then a mask failure occurs, and the
combinatorial logic 170 (of FIG. 1) generates a trigger signal at
225, which triggers the oscilloscope, thereby causing the incoming
signal and associated digital data to be stored, at step 230, in
the memory 115 (of FIG. 1).
Making the determination of whether the pixels or components bear
the predefined relationship can include, for example, determining
whether the pixels or components associated with the digital data
would violate one or more trigger masks if drawn on the display of
the display device. If no mask violation occurs, the digital data
is discarded and more is acquired.
FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a trace 300 and an associated flow diagram
303, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. The horizontal axis of the spectrum trace 300 (and other
spectrum traces described and illustrated herein) can be expressed
or measured in terms of frequency when analyzing the input signal
in the frequency domain, or in terms of time when analyzing the
input signal in the time domain. The vertical axis can be expressed
or measured in terms of amplitude or power. This description of the
axes also applies to the plots and traces discussed below.
At 305 of the flow diagram 303, a trigger mask 302 can be
configured. At 310, the input signal is received and digitized to
produce digital data.
A determination is made at 320 whether pixels or components (e.g.,
301) associated with the digital data bear a predefined
relationship in space to the trigger mask 302. The predefined
relationship can be, for example, an excursion into, through,
and/or out of the trigger mask 302. The excursion can be caused by,
for example, the main signal, a glitch in the signal, or some other
spurious signal. Another determination is made at 325 whether the
predefined relationship is present for a period of time that is the
same as, longer than, and/or shorter than a predefined time
threshold. In other words, if the pixels or components are detected
to cause an excursion and dwell within the associated trigger mask
for the period of time that is the same as the predefined time
threshold, longer than the predefined threshold, shorter than the
predefined threshold, or any combination thereof, then a mask
failure occurs and the flow proceeds along the YES path.
The determinations made at 320 and 325 can be made as a single
combined logical determination based on the space and time factors.
If either of the conditions is not met, the flow returns to 310 for
further processing. Otherwise, the flow proceeds to 330, where a
trigger signal is produced in response to the satisfied trigger
criteria, and then to 335, where the digital data associated with
the incoming signal is stored to the memory.
A representation 301 of the digital data can be displayed as a
spectrum trace in the frequency domain on a display of the display
device 165, or as a trace in the time domain on the display of the
display device 165. It will be understood that the while the
representation 301, and other representations of digital data
illustrated and described herein, often show a single waveform or
line, this is to aid in a more simple and direct illustration and
explanation, and any number of frequency components, time domain
components, waveforms, shapes, lines, traces, and the like, can be
present and otherwise drawn on the display device, and processed by
the combinatorial mask triggering logic, and still fall within the
scope of the inventive techniques described herein.
FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a first trace 400, a second trace 408, and
an associated flow diagram 403, respectively, in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention. When operating within
the frequency domain, the spectrum traces 400 and 408 represent
frequency components 401 shifting or moving in time. When operating
within the time domain, the traces 400 and 408 represent time
domain components appearing at different times. The technique may
begin at 405, where a first trigger mask 402 and a second trigger
mask 404 are configured. The flow proceeds to 410 where the input
signal is received and digitized to produce digital data.
Thereafter, either of paths A or B can be taken. Path A indicates
an operation being performed within the frequency domain while path
B indicates an operation being performed within the time domain. If
path A is taken, the flow proceeds to 420 where a determination is
made whether one or more frequency components (e.g., 401) in the
spectrum trace move between the first trigger mask 402 and the
second trigger mask 404. Conversely, if path B is taken, the flow
proceeds to 422 where a determination is made whether there are
excursions by the time domain trace into, through, and/or out of
the first trigger mask 402 and the second trigger mask 404. The
excursions need not occur simultaneously, but rather, can occur
sequentially. As mentioned above, the excursions can be caused by,
for example, the main signal, glitches in the signal, or other
spurious signals.
In either case (path A or path B), the flow returns to 425, where
another determination can be made whether the movement or
excursions occur within a period of time 406 that is the same as,
shorter than, and/or longer than a predefined time threshold. In
other words, if the pixels or components are detected to cause an
excursion or failure relative to the first trigger mask, and then
within a period of time thereafter, the pixels or components are
detected to cause an excursion or failure relative to the second
trigger mask, in which the period of time is the same as the
predefined time threshold, longer than the predefined threshold,
shorter than the predefined threshold, or any combination thereof,
then the flow proceeds along the YES path.
The determinations made at 420, 422 and/or 425 can be made as a
single combined logical determination based on the space and time
factors. If either of the conditions is not met, the flow returns
to 410 for further processing. Otherwise, the flow proceeds to 430,
where a trigger signal is produced in response to the satisfied
trigger criteria, and then to 435, where the digital data
associated with the incoming signal is stored to the memory.
In an alternative embodiment, the flow skips step 425. In other
words, if path A is taken, the oscilloscope can be triggered if
frequency components are present within the first trigger mask 402
and the second trigger mask 404, without respect to time. If path B
is taken in this scenario, the oscilloscope can be triggered if
components of the time domain trace are present within the first
trigger mask 402 and the second trigger mask 404, without respect
to time.
When operating in the frequency domain, a representation 401 of the
digital data can be displayed as a spectrum trace on a display of
the display device 165. When operating in the time domain, a
representation 401 of the digital data can be displayed as a time
domain trace on the display of the display device 165.
FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a trace 500 and an associated flow diagram
503, respectively, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the
present invention. The technique may begin at 505 where a plurality
of trigger masks 502 are configured. The flow proceeds to 510 where
the input signal is received and digitized to produce digital
data.
Thereafter, either of paths A or B can be taken. Path A indicates
an operation being performed within the frequency domain while path
B indicates an operation being performed within the time domain. If
path A is taken, the flow proceeds to 520 where a determination is
made whether frequency components (e.g., 501) in the spectrum trace
are present within one or more of the trigger masks 502.
Conversely, if path B is taken, the flow proceeds to 522 where a
determination is made whether there are excursions by the time
domain trace into, through, and/or out of one or more of the
trigger masks 502.
Such determinations can be combined with a determination (not
shown) of whether the pixels or components 501 are present within
the one or more trigger masks 502 and dwell for a time period that
is the same as, longer than, and/or shorter than a predefined time
threshold. By way of another example, the determination can be
whether the pixels or components 501 are present within 2 of the 4
trigger masks 502, or 3 of the 4 trigger masks 502, and so forth.
If the condition(s) are not met, the flow returns to 510 for
further processing. Otherwise, the flow proceeds to 530, where a
trigger signal is produced in response to the satisfied trigger
criteria, and then to 535, where the digital data associated with
the incoming signal is stored to the memory.
When operating in the frequency domain, a representation 501 of the
digital data can be displayed as a spectrum trace on the display of
the display device 165. For example, the spectrum trace may show a
representation 501 of a frequency hopping signal. When operating in
the time domain, a representation 501 of the digital data can be
displayed as a time domain trace on the display of the display
device 165.
FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a trace 600 and an associated flow diagram
603, respectively, in accordance with still another embodiment of
the present invention. The technique may begin at 605 where a
plurality of trigger masks 602 are configured. The flow proceeds to
610 where the input signal is received and digitized to produce
digital data.
Thereafter, either of paths A or B can be taken. Path A indicates
an operation being performed within the frequency domain while path
B indicates an operation being performed within the time domain. If
path A is taken, the flow proceeds to 620 where a determination is
made whether frequency components (e.g., 601) in the spectrum trace
are absent from one or more of the trigger masks 602. Conversely,
if path B is taken, the flow proceeds to 622 where a determination
is made whether there is an absence of excursions by the time
domain trace from one or more of the trigger masks 502.
Such a determinations can be combined with a determination (not
shown) of whether the pixels or components 601 are absent from the
one or more trigger masks 602 for a time period that is the same
as, longer than, and/or shorter than a predefined time threshold.
By way of another example, the determination can be whether the
pixels or components 601 are absent from 2 of the 4 trigger masks
602, or 3 of the 4 trigger masks 602, and so forth. If the
condition(s) are not met, the flow returns to 610 for further
processing. Otherwise, the flow proceeds to 630, where a trigger
signal is produced in response to the satisfied trigger criteria,
and then to 635, where the digital data associated with the
incoming signal is stored to the memory.
A time relationship can also be used as part of the trigger
criteria in this embodiment. For example, if there are no pixels or
components (e.g., 601) of the signal that are present in any one or
more of the trigger masks for a period of time that is the same as,
longer than, or shorter than a predefined time threshold, then the
trigger criteria can be satisfied, and the trigger signal
generated.
When operating in the frequency domain, a representation 601 of the
digital data can be displayed as a spectrum trace on the display of
the display device 165. For example, the spectrum trace may show a
representation 601 of a frequency hopping signal. When operating in
the time domain, a representation 601 of the digital data can be
displayed as a time domain trace on the display of the display
device 165.
FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate a first trace 700, a second trace 705, an
associated flow diagram 703 relative to the frequency domain, and
an associated flow diagram 803 relative to the time domain,
respectively, in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
Referring to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, it is assumed that the traces
700 and 705 are spectrum traces within the frequency domain. The
technique may begin at 705, where a first trigger mask 702 and a
second trigger mask 704 are configured. The flow proceeds to 710
where the input signal is received and digitized to produce digital
data.
A determination is made at 720 whether first frequency components
701 in the spectrum trace are present within the first trigger mask
702. If NO, the flow returns to 710 for further data acquisition.
Otherwise, if YES, then trigger can be armed at 722, or in other
words, the combinatorial mask triggering logic 170 (of FIG. 1) can
arm trigger criteria associated with the second trigger mask 704.
Once the trigger is armed, the system continues to acquire and
digitize data at 723 looking for a second trigger mask failure. To
detect the second trigger mask failure, another determination can
be made at 725 whether a density value of second frequency
components 707 in the spectrum trace meet or exceed a predefined
density threshold associated with the second trigger mask 704. If
YES, then flow proceeds to 730, where a trigger signal is produced
in response to the satisfied trigger criteria, and then to 735,
where the digital data associated with the incoming signal is
stored to the memory. Otherwise, if NO, then the flow proceeds to
726, where yet another determination is made whether the trigger
logic has been reset. If the trigger logic has been reset, then the
flow returns to 710 for further processing. Otherwise, if the
trigger logic has not been reset, then the flow returns 723 for
further data acquisition. The reset can come from a user request or
from a reset indicator within the digital data.
The "density value" can equal the number of "hits" or "excursions"
or "pixels" drawn within the associated trigger mask divided by the
number of waveforms used to generate it. As used herein, a mask
failure can be either a "one time" event (i.e., occurring when a
single waveform violates a mask region) or a "statistical" event
(i.e., occurring when there have been a certain number of mask
failures over a specified time period--typically one frame). Put
differently, the term "mask failure" as used herein applies to
either a one-time (mask) failure or a statistical (density)
failure.
In some embodiments, three trigger masks (e.g., 702, 704, and 708)
can be used by the combinatorial mask triggering logic. For
example, a determination can be made whether an excursion or
failure occurs with respect to trigger mask 702, which can cause
trigger criteria to be armed for trigger mask 704. The oscilloscope
can then be triggered in response to an excursion or failure of the
trigger mask 704 unless an excursion happens first with respect to
the trigger mask 708. Any suitable combination of trigger masks
with respect to space and time, and combinatorial logic, can be
used to trigger the oscilloscope. As mentioned above, the
excursions can be caused by, for example, the main signal, glitches
in the signal, or other spurious signals.
In an alternative embodiment, the trigger criteria associated with
trigger mask 704 is not related to density, but rather, the
presence or excursion of frequency components, similar to the
examples above. In other words, the combinatorial mask trigger
logic can use trigger masks 702, 704, and/or 708 (in addition to
still other trigger masks) to build a sequence of events based on
the presence of pixels or components within the trigger masks, with
the added option of timing relationships similar to those described
above, by which ultimately the trigger criteria is met and the
trigger signal generated.
When operating in the frequency domain, a representation (e.g.,
701) of the digital data can be displayed as a spectrum trace on
the display of the display device 165.
Referring now to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7D, it is assumed that the
traces 700 and 705 are spectrum traces within the time domain. The
technique may begin at 805, where a first trigger mask 702 and a
second trigger mask 704 are configured. The flow proceeds to 810
where the input signal is received and digitized to produce digital
data.
A determination is made at 820 whether first components 701 in the
time domain trace are present within the first trigger mask. If NO,
the flow returns to 810 for further data acquisition. Otherwise, if
YES, then trigger can be armed at 822, or in other words, the
combinatorial mask triggering logic 170 (of FIG. 1) can arm trigger
criteria associated with the second trigger mask 704. Once the
trigger is armed, the system continues to acquire and digitize data
at 823 looking for a second trigger mask failure. To detect the
second trigger data, another determination can be made at 825
whether second components 707 in the time domain trace are present
within the second trigger mask 704. If YES, then flow proceeds to
830, where a trigger signal is produced in response to the
satisfied trigger criteria, and then to 835, where the digital data
associated with the incoming signal is stored to the memory.
Otherwise, if NO, then the flow proceeds to 826, where yet another
determination is made whether the trigger logic has been reset. If
the trigger logic has been reset, then the flow returns to 810 for
further data acquisition. Otherwise, if the trigger logic has not
been reset, then the flow returns 823 for further data acquisition.
The reset can come from a user request or from a reset indicator
within the digital data.
Alternatively, three trigger masks (e.g., 702, 704, and 708) can be
used by the combinatorial mask triggering logic in the time domain.
For example, a determination can be made whether an excursion
occurs with respect to trigger mask 702, which can cause trigger
criteria to be armed for trigger mask 704. The oscilloscope can
then be triggered in response to an excursion of the trigger mask
704 unless an excursion happens first with respect to the trigger
mask 708. Any suitable combination of trigger masks with respect to
space and time, and combinatorial logic, can be used to trigger the
oscilloscope.
In an alternative embodiment, timing relationships between the mask
failures are used to determine whether to generate the trigger
signal. When a timing relationship is used, for example, the
combinatorial mask triggering logic can determine whether the
second components (e.g., 707) that are associated with the digital
data bear the predefined relationship (e.g., an excursion and/or a
dwelling within) to the second trigger mask (e.g., 704) within a
predefined period of time after the first components (e.g., 701)
that are associated with the digital data are determined to bear
the predefined relationship with the first trigger mask (e.g.,
702).
In an alternative embodiment, the trigger criteria associated with
trigger mask 704 is not based solely on the presence or dwelling of
components, but rather, it can also be based on the density of
components, similar to the examples above. In other words, the
combinatorial mask trigger logic can use trigger masks 702, 704,
and/or 708 (in addition to still other trigger masks) to build a
sequence of events based on the presence and/or density of pixels
or components within the trigger masks, with the added option of
timing relationships similar to those described above, by which
ultimately the trigger criteria is met and the trigger signal
generated.
When operating in the time domain, a representation (e.g., 701) of
the digital data can be displayed as a time domain trace on the
display of the display device 165.
The combinatorial and sequential criteria that combines both space
and time elements, as discussed herein, can be implemented in
either the frequency domain, the time domain, or both. It will be
understood that the determinations and other steps in the flow
diagrams need not occur in the specific order as described, but
rather, these determinations can be made at different times. It
will also be understood that the steps described in these
techniques need not necessarily occur in the order as illustrated
or described.
Although the foregoing discussion has focused on particular
embodiments, other configurations are contemplated. For example,
the combinatorial mask triggering logic 170 (of FIG. 1) can
determine whether at least one trigger mask experiences a failure
(e.g., excursion into, out of, or through the trigger mask) every N
seconds, and if so, trigger the oscilloscope. By way of another
example, the combinatorial mask triggering logic 170 can determine
whether at least one trigger mask experiences a failure (e.g.,
excursion into, out of, or through the trigger mask) at least X
times per second, and if so, trigger the oscilloscope.
As explained above, the combinatorial mask triggering logic 170 can
cause the oscilloscope to be triggered when a glitch or other
component is present in a waveform for a certain period of time, or
when it isn't present for a specified period of time.
In the time domain, the combinatorial mask triggering logic 170 can
cause the oscilloscope to be triggered when glitches in a trace
occur at a certain rate. The combinatorial mask triggering logic
170 can cause the oscilloscope to be triggered when one glitch
(defined by one trigger mask region) occurs within a certain time
period after a glitch defined by another trigger mask region.
In the frequency domain, the combinatorial mask triggering logic
170 can cause the oscilloscope to be triggered when a spurious
component or other frequency component dwells in, or is absent
from, a trigger mask region for too long, or too quickly. The
combinatorial mask triggering logic 170 can cause the oscilloscope
to be triggered when one or more frequency components in a spectrum
trace move between one trigger mask region and another too quickly,
or too slowly. The combinatorial mask triggering logic 170 can
cause the oscilloscope to be triggered when certain spectral
components are present in a spectrum trace, but others are absent.
The combinatorial mask triggering logic 170 can arm a trigger with
a frequency excursion into one trigger mask region, and then
trigger when the density is exceeded in another region. The trigger
can be limited to cases when the density excursion occurs only
within a certain time region after the arming event.
Because the combinatorial mask triggering logic 170 may include and
utilize the mask test circuitry 175, such circuitry can catch
intermittent events that might never be seen by a purely software
implementation. While the embodiments herein need not include a
hardware implementation, such an implementation can increase the
speed by which the inventive functionality is performed.
The various embodiments disclosed herein can recognize "hits" or
"excursions" of pixels relative to one or more of the trigger mask
regions. The hits or excursions can be combined in multiple
regions, together with flexible logic, to create more complex mask
failure criteria. Timing relationships between the mask failures
can be established and/or chained into a sequence of events. The
number of complex mask failures can be counted over a specified
time period. These capabilities can be implemented in hardware as
the failures occur (i.e., in real-time), or can be implemented in
software. A hybrid of hardware and software can be used, such as
providing a hardware "flag" when a trigger mask failure occurs,
which notifies the software to process the failure.
The following discussion is intended to provide a brief, general
description of a suitable machine or machines in which certain
aspects of the inventive concept can be implemented. Typically, the
machine or machines include a system bus to which is attached
processors, memory, e.g., random access memory (RAM), read-only
memory (ROM), or other state preserving medium, storage devices, a
video interface, and input/output interface ports. The machine or
machines can be controlled, at least in part, by input from
conventional input devices, such as keyboards, mice, etc., as well
as by directives received from another machine, interaction with a
virtual reality (VR) environment, biometric feedback, or other
input signal. As used herein, the term "machine" is intended to
broadly encompass a single machine, a virtual machine, or a system
of communicatively coupled machines, virtual machines, or devices
operating together. Exemplary machines include computing devices
such as personal computers, workstations, servers, portable
computers, handheld devices, telephones, tablets, etc., as well as
transportation devices, such as private or public transportation,
e.g., automobiles, trains, cabs, etc.
The machine or machines can include embedded controllers, such as
programmable or non-programmable logic devices or arrays,
Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), embedded
computers, smart cards, and the like. The machine or machines can
utilize one or more connections to one or more remote machines,
such as through a network interface, modem, or other communicative
coupling. Machines can be interconnected by way of a physical
and/or logical network, such as an intranet, the Internet, local
area networks, wide area networks, etc. One skilled in the art will
appreciate that network communication can utilize various wired
and/or wireless short range or long range carriers and protocols,
including radio frequency (RF), satellite, microwave, Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 545.11, Bluetooth.RTM.,
optical, infrared, cable, laser, etc.
Embodiments of the inventive concept can be described by reference
to or in conjunction with associated data including functions,
procedures, data structures, application programs, etc. which when
accessed by a machine results in the machine performing tasks or
defining abstract data types or low-level hardware contexts.
Associated data can be stored in, for example, the volatile and/or
non-volatile memory, e.g., RAM, ROM, etc., or in other storage
devices and their associated storage media, including hard-drives,
floppy-disks, optical storage, tapes, flash memory, memory sticks,
digital video disks, biological storage, etc. Associated data can
be delivered over transmission environments, including the physical
and/or logical network, in the form of packets, serial data,
parallel data, propagated signals, etc., and can be used in a
compressed or encrypted format. Associated data can be used in a
distributed environment, and stored locally and/or remotely for
machine access. Embodiments of the inventive concept may include a
non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions
executable by one or more processors, the instructions comprising
instructions to perform the elements of the inventive concept as
described herein.
Other similar or non-similar modifications can be made without
deviating from the intended scope of the inventive concept.
Accordingly, the inventive concept is not limited except as by the
appended claims.
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